Design Ideas - Fashion Advice from Me?

Yep!  I went to the mall last week and lived to tell about it!  I stepped into - even though I am not and do not desire to be - "Forever 21."   My oldest daughter dragged me there and it wasn't too bad.  They had some cute  dresses, so I bought the girls each a dress.  For college DD, I got a classic navy blue with white polka dot dress.  I can't find a photo of it online.  It is similar to the above dress and it is reminiscent of the classic dress that Julia Roberts wore in "Pretty Woman".  I loved that dress - and the hat!

Here's a cute dress pattern from Burda.

Source: burdastyle.com via MaidenJane on Pinterest

Both of my daughters are very tall and a lot of the dresses are cut very short.  It makes it very difficult to find something appropriate and that they would be comfortable in.  A few stores we walked into I had to turn around and walk out due to the pounding music (at 10 AM) and/or the smells.  Is it Ambercrombie?  I think so - oh the smells!  I stayed in long enough to walk around.  Many of the styles are based on classics....with about 50% of the fabric!

Cute dress, I think.  But look at how short it is?  And that's on a stick model! It reminds me a bit of the argument regarding digital versus paper books.  Some feel we should be charged less for digital books because there is less cost in manufacturing and distributing a digital book.  I propose that many of today's fashions should cost less because there is LESS fabric in them!  Sheesh, the shorts are, well, short in all directions!

It is fun to see the fashions inspired by Mad Men (I am clueless about the show - I've never seen it.) But I love the 50s/retro/vintage looks!

I love this pattern from Burda.  I love the guys' shirt, too!

So what's my advice?  Hey, I'm a 40-something Mom...my advice is keep your butts covered!

Source: burdastyle.com via MaidenJane on Pinterest

Monday Inspiration - All Things Nautical!

Wire Wrapped Beach Glass from akaCinders

Capri Sun Pouch from PinkInMind

Personalized Anchor Stationery from Fiona Designs

Mermaid Ponytail Button from Polka Dot Skies

Ribbon Bracelet from Twillypop

Vintage Chenille Bedspread

New In the Shop - Black & White Mod Circles Oversized Beach Tote

Black and White

Circles

Dots

Mod Circles

An oversized beach tote in a fabric that is:

Classic

Mod

Fun

These bags are all about:

Quality

Size

Value

Yes, the oversized tote is BIG! 

Big enough to hold your beach blanket and beach towels. 

Yet lightweight enough to fold and pack in your luggage.

I am offering this tote as my classic, basic oversized tote.  No bells and whistles.

As always, if you want extra features, just ask! Want a smaller size?  I can sew it!  Want multiple bags for your family beach reunion?  Just ask!

Product listed on Maiden Jane and Etsy.

Thoughts on Life - Love Is....

....being 15 years old and not being ashamed to wear a shirt similar to your Mom!

Wednesday Sewing - an Upcycled Bow Tie

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I sew.  A lot.  Mostly I sew for customers, which I love.  Sometimes my head is swirling with new ideas, solutions to problems and - oh yeah - real life problems, too!  This week, between the time change, a bad storm and sorting out ideas in my head, I felt foggy and unfocused.  So I decided to ignore the "to do" list and focus on a fun little project I had brewing.

This lovely Gap shirt belongs to my husband.  It was given to him by our neighbor as a hand-me-down.  (We aren't proud.)  It looked really nice on my husband and washed up well.  But he wore it hard and it finally gave way at the elbow.  He asked me to repair it.  I often do that by applying some interfacing and/or fabric to the back and then stitching over the tear.

This time I decided that my husband needs to dress for success and give this one up for the adorable fabric.

When I was growing up we always got new outfits at Easter.  When my kids were little I did the same - often making their outfits.  That has fallen off in recent years due to styles and a pragmatic approach to the number of dress clothes needed in the house.  For my youngest son, we went up in the attic and found his older brother's yellow vest with a blue stripe in it.  I asked if he would wear a bow tie and, to my delight, he said yes!

I had pinned this pattern  which I really liked.  It is a real bow tie so you create it according to neck size.  I was concerned about downsizing it for my son, and my brain was already foggy.

Source: angelaosborn.com.au via MaidenJane on Pinterest

So I also found the David pattern on Burda.  This one is also a bow tie that you tie, but one that can be adjusted with sliders.  (There are also many bow tie patterns that are mock bow ties if you want to try something simple.)

I printed both patterns because I liked that the bow on the first pattern was pared down just a bit.  I don't want to overpower my son, who is 12.  So I simply overlayed the patterns and cut them on the bias.  It was a challenge inverting them.  Burda said they have a trick to aid in that process, but I couldn't find it and was too impatient to look elsewhere.

I still have to buy another slider, but I was excited with the result.  Not only is it special because it will dress my son up for Easter, but because it's made out of one of his dad's shirts.  I have to learn how to tie it a bit better.  And I'll take some photos with my son in it.

But some diversionary sewing was just what the Twitter doctors ordered.  It freed my mind up from fretful thinking, allowing solutions to come in to some of those pesky little problems.  And, besides, bow ties and little boys just make me happy!

You Can Make This!

Have you ever explored You Can Make This?  Head on over for a fun sale on patterns in their featured section.  You can even pick up my T Shirt Quilt Pattern for $5!

Happy Sewing!

Monday Inspiration - Black Tie Optional

'Black Tie Optional, Even in the Spring' by MaidenJane

Black - always fashionable.

Paris Bistro Cafe Chairs Gre... LoVedoArt $5.00	Girls Summer Dress black an... frommylifetoyo... $25.00	Chicago Skyline City Skyline... VibrantShadows $30.00	Glue on Nails - Rainbow Holo... NailKandy $12.00
Gothic Fingerless Gloves Bla... OneStitchDesig... $30.00	Dictionary Print Pendant Nec... rrizzart $34.00	1950s Black Dress Suit Dress... BlytheHopesVin... $65.00	Magnetic Hematite Versatile ... talenaztreasur... $15.00
Gift Tag, Wedding favour,Lov... ChilliPeppa $3.50	Hand dyed silk scarf Injecti... MermaidTrinket... $19.50	Pan Handle Covers Quilted Po... moonlight55 $9.00	Baby Boy Hat - Crochet Black... inamood $14.00
1940s or 1950s Pin Up Dress ... p1xie $210.00	Silver Plated Hematite Wire ... TheSilverFindi... $14.00	Faux Snakeskin Wrist Wallet ... televised $57.00	classic black cloche with gr... crochetconcept... $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.